When can you bet on sports in North Carolina? We'll know Wednesday
Sports bettors and fans that have been waiting – and waiting – for mobile sports wagering to begin in North Carolina will find out Wednesday just how much longer they'll need to wait.
The North Carolina Lottery Commission is scheduled to meet Wednesday morning and a vote on "sports wagering authorization" is the lone business item on the agenda.
State law says "sports wagering shall not be authorized in the state until a date identified by the Commission." State law calls for the start date to be no later than June 15.
The commission previously said sports betting would not begin before the Feb. 11 Super Bowl. A start date in early March, before the start of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, is likely.
"The idea is to try to get it in place before March Madness," Gov. Roy Cooper said earlier in January. "There's a lot going on at the Lottery Commission to make sure that that process goes the right way."
Nine sports wagering operators have submitted applications to take bets in the state. They have until Friday to submit their proposed internal controls for review by the commission. The commission said that mobile sports betting will launch in the state before in-person sports betting at specified locations does.
Operators must have an agreement with certain in-state teams, leagues or facilities in order to secure a license. Underdog Sports announced Tuesday that it has partnered with Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro. The club hosts an annual PGA Tour event.
Underdog currently offers fantasy sports products, but North Carolina will be its first betting state.
The commission's sports betting committee is scheduled to meet Jan. 30. The commission has not yet addressed regulations around wagering on horse racing.
Operator agreements
Teams: Operator
Charlotte Hornets: bet365
Carolina Hurricanes: Fanatics Sportsbook
Carolina Panthers: not announced
NC Courage: not announced
Charlotte FC: not announced
Facilities: Operator
Quail Hollow Club: Bet ESPN (PENN Entertainment)
Sedgefield Country Club: Underdog Sports
Charlotte Motor Speedway: BetMGM
North Wilkesboro Speedway: not announced
Governing bodies: Operator
PGA Tour: FanDuel
NASCAR: DraftKings
The Catawba and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which have in-person sportsbooks at their casinos in North Carolina, have also applied for licenses.
